Dye Eggs Naturally

DrJ

You can color eggs this season with a few food items you may already have in your home.  My absolute favorite to use is onion skin. Yellow onions create a beautiful warm orange tone, and red onions produce a strong maroon tone. To provide a variety, there are a few other dye-forward foods to try: beets produce a pink/red color; turmeric is great for a vibrant yellow; and purple cabbage creates a light blue hue; and frozen blueberries can impart a lilac to purple color (fresh blueberries should give more of a dark blue color).  Brown eggs will produce a more muted variation. The intensity will vary with respect to concentration of the finished dye, time spent in the dyebath, and number of separate “dips” into the dye.

Ingredients (organic/biodynamic)

1 dozen eggs (choose duck, goose, or quail eggs if you will be consuming them)
2-3 beets, shredded or finely chopped
¼-½ purple cabbage (depending on size), shredded or finely chopped
Skins from 2-3 yellow onions
Skins from 2-3 red onions
2 Tbsp turmeric
1 bag frozen wild blueberries
White vinegar (1 Tbsp/cup of dye)
Water (to cook dyes)
Saucepans (to cook dyes)
Mason Jars and/or bowls for finished dyes

Directions

  1. Boil eggs in a Dutch oven or large pot until hardboiled and allow to cool.
  2. In a saucepan, place one single ingredient, such as beets. Cover with water. You will want to use at least 2 cups; I used 2-4 cups, depending on the size of the pan I was using for that ingredient. Note that less water will result in more concentrated dye.
  3. Bring to boil on stove, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat and strain into a bowl to remove skins, peels, etc.
  5. Pour into the containers you will be using to color your eggs.
  6. Add 1 Tbsp vinegar for each cup of dye liquid and allow to cool.
  7. Drop eggs into the various dyebaths, and place in refrigerator to set overnight.
  8. Remove from dye and let dry.

NOTE: multiple dips into the dye may result in deeper color. Experiment and discover what works best for you.

 

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